Soo awesome!
Capcom announced at PAX East 2013 that they are completely remaking this 8bit masterpiece for release this Summer on Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA), PlayStation Network (PSN) and WiiU eShop!
DuckTales Remastered seeks to take the levels and layout of the original game, but will greatly expand and update them to create essentially an all-new title in the spirit of the original. The graphics have been completely upgraded to modern-day standards, beautifully recreated with luscious hand-drawn visuals, backgrounds and animated sprites, which re-invisions the look of the 8bit classic.
In addition, and a HUGE, HUGE bullet point, Disney and Capcom have brought back the ENTIRE VOICE CAST of the original DuckTales cartoon series from 1987 (it ran until 1990) including the 94-year-old Alan Young, voice of Scrooge McDuck! He, in addition to everyone else, has recorded all-new material for all of the DuckTales characters, significantly enhancing the game and giving it the authentic feel that fans of both the voiceless 8bit original NES platformer, and the 80s cartoon series, will love and appreciate!
Man this takes me back!
Like in the original game, players will take control of Scrooge McDuck himself and his unstoppable pogostick (used to jump on enemies and reach higher areas) as you explore the various themed worlds of the game and collect hidden treasures in order to become the world’s richest duck… This includes some deviously hidden secrets.
Although my memory of the game is very vague, I can recall unlocking the secret to an island that rises up from the sea (or something) and my young mind being absolutely blown. Just like sinking into the quicksand in Super Mario Bros. 2 to appear on the otherside of the wall, the secrets in DuckTales were plentiful and extremely mysterious, really stretching the young mind to new levels of wonder. Whether this game will still have that effect on me or not is doubtful, but I haven’t played the game since the late 80s or early 90s, so it will be a REAL treat to go back to it! In the meantime I may just have to track down a copy of the original NES cartridge to play on my NES2, and bust out some nostalgia!
Capcom promises that the renewed voicework from the talent behind the animated series will bring the in-game characters sparkling to life with “charm and wit”. Additionally, all of the classic melodies, songs and music from the original 8bit NES game and the animated series have been given a modern twist and remixed to great effect, further updating this new version.
A tutorial level has been added to acquant new fans to the iconic Pogo Jump and Cane Swing that form the basis of the gameplay in this side-scrolling 2D platformer, and an additional and all-new “Scrooge McDuck’s Museum” will track all of your stats that you can compare with the world in global leaderboards. There, of course, will also be new Achievements and Trophies to unlock. Hopefully there will be more stuff to unlock as well…
DuckTales Remastered is being developed by acclaimed developer WayForward Technologies, who are well known for creating hit downloadable titles like LIT, Mighty Switch Force, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge, BloodRayne: Betrayal, Double Dragon Neon and retail hits for DS/3DS/Wii/PS Vita like Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Aliens: Infestation and Silent Hill: Book of Memories. So the game is in good hands!
It’s worth noting that two additional DuckTales games were developed after the original 1989 NES title. They include DuckTales 2, released for NES and Game Boy in 1993 (developed by Capcom and a direct-sequel), and DuckTales: The Quest For Gold released for PC and developed by Incredible Technologies in 1990. If this game does well enough we just may see the re-release of DuckTales 2 as well, which would be great. Hopefully from there they can remake or re-release other Disney hits like Chip N’ Dale, Darkwing Duck and TaleSpin! :D
Here is an interview that gives a few more details on DuckTales Remastered.
